The formal education system is one of the sources of cognitive development in our society. MANAVLOK had established 37 Balwadi (kindergartens) in 37 villages with total beneficiaries of 1486 children and handover to the state government. We have facilitated 960 students at 35 centres through a night study program, providing non-formal education to 175 children of school dropout at 9 villages, and also home science college. MANAVLOK also undertook Balkrida Melawe (children's sports), music classes, and sports competitions for youths in past. MANAVLOK also provided training to people on the development of SHGs, skills, watershed development, and panchayat members. Presently, MANAVLOK is running one Art Centre, one Balwadi Centre (pre-school), and one MSW (Master of Social Work) College which is renowned in the region.
Our source of inspiration Dr. Dwarkadas Shaligram Lohiya was working in rural development, especially for drought and migrant labour since 1972 in Marathwada. Dr Lohiya felt the need to start a professional social work course and to prepare trained social worker from the same district who understands the severity of the problems. Thus, MANAVLOK’s College of Social Work was established in 1999 as an extension of MANAVLOK’s educational activities.
It helps poor rural girls to take the benefits of higher education by providing lodging and boarding at concessional rates. Both Girls and women grow and develop their potential in the progressive environment at the hostel which is integrated with other activities of the organization. "Subhadratai Narayan Dada Kaldate" Women’s Hostel facility is started to make education easier for girls-women from rural areas, who are economically and socially less privileged. In the past also MANAVLOK has provided hostel facilities (Balsadan) for orphans and children of sugarcane field workers.
We have two training centres and an auditorium. Our training centres are well-designed and well-furnished for both residential and non-residential types of training, located at MANAVLOK Campus, Ambajogai.
Manaswini offers various kinds of technical training and support to the women survivors of domestic violence as well as single women in villages. Their excellence in preparing household edibles from food for events as well as additives like condiments, pickles, chilli powder, turmeric powder, papad and also woven bags, sewn purses, dresses etc. are here given better value additions. They are given training to achieve new skills and also add perfections to them. They help themselves for earning through exhibitions of such products prepared by themselves as well as those prepared by their village fellow member women in Self Help Groups (BACHAT GAT).
Toy Bank, an initiative under The Opentree Foundation, is an organization in India that promotes the Right to Play for all children. They adopt a mindful approach to promote a child’s mental well-being and socio-economic development. Manavlok collaborated with Toybank to set up Play Centers at Zilla Parishad schools and Anganwadis.
Ambajogai is a town known for education. A number of girls from adjoining rural areas, villages, and hills take admitted to various schools and colleges in Ambajogai. Many such girls aspire to higher studies and competitive examinations for careers in public and other services. However, the lack of special facilities for studies for women keeps women away from success and many have to leave their dreams undone and lose opportunities. With the establishment of the Dr Shaila Lohiya Study Centre in the commemoration of the late Dr Shaila Lohiya, this need of girls from rural areas is fulfilled. The study centre in addition to providing them with proper education and guidance, provides them encouraging atmosphere, as well as sophisticated arrangements for study. They include a Library Internet facility Competitive Exam guidance.
Skill in Village is a before and after-school program for students of 5th to 8th std enrolled in vernacular medium government schools that equip them with English Communication skills, followed by the 3 Cs mentioned in the global P21 framework - Critical thinking. Creativity, and Culture. This program is activity-based, interactive, contextual, level appropriate and outcome-oriented. The program runs on a participatory approach where a small contribution from the student is taken to ensure accountability. This is a pilot programme in Beed District in collaboration with Manavlok and Deshpande Foundation.